For many people, the holidays mean several weeks of travel: family on one coast, friends on another, a winter getaway in between. Packing one suitcase for all of it sounds impossible. It is not, if every piece is chosen to work across occasions.

Start With a Color Story

Choose two neutrals and one or two festive colors. Black and camel with burgundy and gold. Navy and cream with emerald. Every top works with every bottom, and every accessory brightens more than one outfit.

The Core Pieces

• A long wool coat and a lighter layer for warmer stops.
• Two pairs of tailored trousers and one pair of dark jeans.
• Three or four fine knits in your neutrals and one festive color.
• Two silk or satin tops for evenings.
• One dress for Thanksgiving dinner and one for parties, or a single black dress that does both.
• A velvet or tailored blazer.

Shoes

A weatherproof ankle boot, a comfortable loafer or flat, and one evening shoe. Wear the boots in transit.

The Accessories

This is where the season shows up: a sparkly earring, a velvet headband, a metallic bag, a silk scarf. They take little space and change everything. Pack them in a small case in the carry-on.

Plan for Laundry

No single suitcase carries five weeks without washing. Plan for laundry at each stop, a hotel service or a family washing machine, and pack quick-drying underthings and merino. Leave room for gifts on the way home, or ship them ahead.

Shop the Edit

• Rimowa Essential Check-In M, 24S
• Max Mara 101801 Icon Coat, Max Mara
• Vince Wool-Blend Tailored Wide-Leg Pant, Vince
• Khaite Danielle Straight-Leg Jeans, Saks Fifth Avenue
• Jenni Kayne Cooper Cardigan, FWRD
• Alas Silk Button-Up Shirt in Milk White, Nordstrom
• Khaite Medow Crepe Midi Dress, Net-a-Porter
• Alice + Olivia Sable Velvet Blazer in Dark Fern, Nordstrom
• Aquatalia Natta Suede Ankle Boot, Aquatalia
• Tod’s Gommino Suede Loafer in Tabacco, Saks Fifth Avenue
• Ferragamo Floral Silk Scarf, Saks Fifth Avenue
• Saint Laurent Evening Soft Clutch in Satin, Saint Laurent
• Leatherology Buckled Jewelry Roll, Leatherology